Photo Credit:
Words: Sophie Thompson

The Clause were certainly in their element on Friday night as they took to the stage for the final night of their Victim of a Casual Thing UK tour. Making their homecoming return to Birmingham for a show that felt like a celebration for both the bands journey so far and the city which shaped them. The night carried pride and energy which only a hometown show can create. 

Opening the night was Liverpool based The Kairos who wasted no time in getting the crowd moving to their electric high energy sound. Drawing clear inspiration from 90s Britpop whilst remaining original and authentic, the band immediately grabbed the crowd’s attention. Opening with their wild and captivating ‘Suspend’ they had the crowd engaged from the very moment they walked onto the stage. Treating the Birmingham crowd to their latest single ‘Never Met a Mess Like You’ they gave a taste of what is to come for The Kairos before they launched into the fan favourite ‘Rat Poison’ packed with loud distorted guitars and strong vocals. They are a band who are destined to go far, and it won’t be long before they’re playing bigger stages themselves.

Next up were The Lilacs a rising indie band from Wigan began their set with the punchy ‘Where’ve You Been Hiding’ with the powerful lyrics “Do you care what the people think? /Do you care what the people say?” The Lilacs delivered an electric stage presence and thought-provoking lyrics showing how they are certainly ones to watch coming into 2026. Before the start of ‘Grace’ lead singer Ollie Anglesea asked the crowd for anyone named grace to make themselves known, Anglesea also dedicated the song to their guitarist Sam Birchall who was unable to be there on Friday night due to ongoing cancer treatment, and to anyone affected by cancer. Closing their electric set was the indie anthem ‘Vicarage Road’ which got the crowd bouncing from the very first beat.

As Oasis’ ‘Morning Glory’ flooded the speaker’s anticipation inside the O2 academy reached its peak. The crowd had erupted before a single note had been played. The Clause went straight into it with ‘Nothing’s as It Seems’ which left the venue bouncing as the crowd danced and moshed from the very start. 

Tracks like ‘Tell Me What You Want’ and ‘Fake It’ established the bands purpose immediately with punchy guitars which were tight and energetic; certainly, built for live moments. The hometown crowd gave their all to the 

Birmingham stars and The Clause responded with visible gratitude expressing their love for the city which raised them.

As the set progressed it became increasingly clear that these songs thrive in the live environment carried by Pearce Macca’s soaring vocals and the bands growing confidence on stage. The band first met as 12-year-old school friends from Birmingham. The Clause’s rise has been remarkable as their debut album Victim of a Casual Thing charted at number 1 in the independent charts. An achievement beyond their wildest dreams and to have now headlined what they call their “dream venue”, The Clause are certainly living in a ‘Fever Dream’. 

The pace briefly softened with tracks like ‘Elisha‘ and ‘Where Are You Now?’ as Macca revealed that he wrote the latter as a 16-year-old following the passing of a family member. Asking the crowd to “put up their phone lights” the emotional connection between the band and their fans became evident. Before starting ‘Don’t Blink’ they dedicated it to Birmingham declaring it a city people love to call a “shithole” but proudly stating “it’s our shithole”, The Clause wear their Birmingham roots with undeniable pride. 

The encore saw the night descend into pure chaos ‘Weekend Millionaire’ was met with confetti raining down from the ceiling, a moment which felt like a celebration of how far they have come: from a small band from Birmingham to headlining the O2 Academy. In a surprise moment for the fans the band debuted a fan favourite ‘Sixteen’ for the first time ever this tour. They closed the night off with ‘In My Element’ where there was not a single person stood still. To top it all off Santa Claus made a surprise appearance, delivering gifts to the front of the crowd before crowd surfing alongside bassist Jonny Fyffe.

It was a loud, chaotic and unmistakably Birmingham, a homecoming show which confirmed that The Clause are certainly in their element.